| Vulnerability among adolescent girls in India: Findings from national survey |
| Authors: |
Sharma Kalpa |
| Source: |
Zenith International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Volume: 2 Issue: 10 Pages:331-343 |
| Topic(s): |
Gender-based violence (GBV)
Women’s empowerment
|
| Country: |
Asia
India
|
| Published: |
OCT 2012 |
| Abstract: |
Purpose: India has one the fastest growing population in the world. Adolescent are individuals aged 10–19 years. Adolescents especially girls are vulnerable group in India.
Methods: National family Health Survey-3 (NFHS 3) data is used in this paper to assess the situation of adolescent especially girls in India.
Results: Findings from NFHS-3 depicted poor education level, unemployment, adolescent pregnancy, high unmet need of family planning among adolescent females. Government of India has launched several schemes and programmes such as Reproductive and Child Health (RCH), Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH), Adolescent Education Programme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL), Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Balika Samriddhi Yojana, Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) etc. Policy makers should review the existing schemes and programs and formulate new policies for the adolescent especially for girls to increase the access of education, develop skills that can help in further employment, and awareness generation among adolescent regarding reproductive and sexual health, use of family planning methods, breastfeeding, personal hygiene, healthy behavior etc. Government along with NGO's should work in improving the conditions of girls in adolescent age and attaining the Millennium Development Goals.
Keywords
Adolescence, Adolescent Girls, Gender Differential, National Health Family Survey, Health Policy |
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